Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said on Tuesday that the recent incursion by the Chinese army into the state’s territory ‘should be unequivocally condemned in the national interest’

“The two countries have diplomatic relations which needs to be maintained. But it is intriguing that China continues to claim our territory,” Mr. Tuki told the Assembly responding to a calling attention motion by Peoples’ Party of Arunachal member Laeta Umbrey on the intrusion into the Chaglagam area of Anjaw district on August 11.

Stating that the incursion issue was a subject for the Centre and the State was not a party to the Indo-Sino bilateral talks, the Chief Minister reposed full faith on the security forces and said that they would never compromise with the external security of the country.

Referring to the large stretch of the border demarcated by the McMohan Line, Mr. Tuki said “There are areas in the state across the border without habitation where I am planning to visit to study the ground reality.”

Mr. Umbrey said that the incursion had inflicted untold mental agony on the people of the state. “Time has come that we should break our silence and tell the world that we are Indians and our state is an integral part of the country.

“Arunachalees are more patriotic and always greet people from other provinces of the country with Jai Hind,” he said and urged the State Government to send a clear message to the Centre on the issue.

The Chief Minister assured to convey the sentiment of the assembly to New Delhi.